DISCRIMINATION

12.15.11

Feds: Sheriff Joe Violated Civil Rights

Ross D. Franklin / AP Photos

A three-year-long investigation by the U.S. Justice Department has concluded that the notorious "Sheriff Joe" Arpaio from Maricopa County in Arizona committed a wide range of civil-rights violations since at least 2009. In the scathing report the feds say the self-described "America's toughest sheriff" instituted a "pattern of racial profiling" against Latinos and a "culture of bias" against immigrants, including conducting "sweeps" patrols based only on complaints that Latinos were gathering at a location without committing any crimes. Arpaio's fierce stance against immigration has propelled him to national prominence among GOP hardliners. A federal grand jury is also investigating him for criminal abuse of power, and the Justice Department said it is still looking at complaints of excessive force by deputies under his watch.